2000$ Gaming build (pheriperals incl.)

[vsdagama]

Spoiler

Approximate Purchase Date: This week, or when I come back from my travel (8-16 september)

Budget Range: 1500 $/€ for the case + hardware, another 500 euro $/€ for the monitor, OS, speakers and a keyboard.

Parts Not Required: Mouse. I will use my current MX518 for now.

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3System Usage from Most to Least Important: GAMING: GTA IV & 5, Battlefield 3, COD 7,8,..., The witcher 2, Elder scrolls: Skyrim, Crysis, Metro 2033, all that good stuff. Preferably on max settings!

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any. I will be buying all parts from azerty.nl. Any parts that are not available there, I will get somewhere else. Newegg links or just names are ok.

Country of Origin: Belgium

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe. I will try a minor overclock on the 2500K (first timer)

SLI or Crossfire: Depends on GPU choice (see below)

Monitor Resolution: anything above 1920x1080

Additional Comments:
Well, I will be using this build for the next 3-4 years.
I am willing to spend a premium on parts that I can almost certainly carry on to the next build:
Those are the monitor? PSU? and Case?
I like a high gaming performance, but still as quiet as possible build.

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Beta build: http://azerty.nl/winkelmandje/winkelmandje/?legen=1&product%5B370818%5D=1&product%5B363903%5D=1&product%5B388711%5D=1&product%5B225309%5D=2&product%5B406574%5D=1&product%5B279720%5D=1&product%5B226235%5D=1&product%5B251678%5D=1&product%5B245679%5D=1&product%5B304855%5D=1&product%5B394013%5D=1&product%5B427533%5D=1&product%5B436742%5D=1&product%5B386287%5D=1

Parts I am 99% SURE about:

Processor:
Intel Core i5 2500K / 3.3 GHz - LGA1155 Socket

SSD:
OCZ Vertex 3 - 120 Gb

HDD:
Samsung SpinPoint F3 Desktop Class HD103SJ

OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium w/SP1 - 64 bit

CPU Cooler:
Scythe Mugen 2 rev.B SCMG-2100

Keyboard:
Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110

PSU:
Corsair Enthusiast Series TX850 V2

Speakers:
Logitech Z 506
Logitech: Check
5:1 surround: Check
Low price: Check
This seems almost like a no-brainer. Is it?

Case
Probably the Cooler Master HAF X
Honorable mentions: NZXT Phantom or Corsair Graphite 600T White Edition: both very beautiful cases, I'm still tempted to get one of these instead :O


Parts I am not entirely sure about:

GPU
The Sli 560 Ti's will be more powerful, so I'll go for that bang my buck.
What are the the best ones? Performance/cooling/sound-wise?

Motherboard
The ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 is a LOVELY motherboard.
But I do not need a PCIe 3.0 or ivy bridge ready mobo.
So is there a cheaper mobo without that functionality? Or is this one great anyway for that price? Am I paying for functionality I don't need?

RAM
Probably choosing for red RAM sticks, to match the HAF X.
These 2 are DDR3 1866 CL9 is that ok?
G.Skill Ripjaws-X
Corsair Vengeance

Optical drive:
So many choices, what's a decent one?
After some reading it seems that Samsung has a lot of problems, LG is more expensive and Sony is the best choice?


There is only 1 piece of my build that is totally unclear to me, the monitor..
There are hundreds of monitors from 24-27 inch, I can't get a good overview on them. :O

MONITOR:
So many choices, so many product numbers, so many versions, I am totally confused on this one.
I consider the monitor as one of the most important parts of the build, why spend 1000+ dollar on a build when you cannot get a decent image out of your bad monitor?
Because the monitor is probably something I can take on to future builds, I'm willing to spend something more on it.
Price range is probably 0-300 $/€
I would like: a 1080 or 1200 x1900, led backlit, 23-27 inch monitor
Well, I have a mid 2009 macbook pro laptop and when I compare it to other laptops, it's monitor is SUBLIME. I have no idea what type of monitor it is, and what makes it so good. But if anyone knows, and can link me to a similar monitor for my build, that would be awsome.
Here are some monitors I stumbled upon in my search:
Samsung SyncMaster B2430HD
ASUS MS238H
ASUS VG236HE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPGviHfWMpY&feature=related => green color problem?)
=> Samsung SyncMaster PX2370 beter?
Samsung Syncmaster 2443BW
Samsung P2450H




If you read this all the way trough: I appreciate your opinion and help a lot!
It has been a dream for me for several years, to get a beast under my desk and to game on high settings.

 

[striker410]

Hi there, welcome to the forums.

Wow, lots of information! Thank you!

So I'm gonna focus mainly on the rig, and not worry about the peripherals.

First, the debate of single GPU vs. Dual GPU. What do I say? SLI FTW!

The power of dual GTX 560 Ti's will stomp a GTX 580. Some say that a single card is a more elegant option, but nothing beats a dual GPU option when it comes to bang for buck.

So, I suggest these GPU's: http://azerty.nl/0-2965-385562/msi-n560gtx-ti-twin-frozr-ii-o.html As the MSI Twin Frozr II is probably the best cooler out there.

Mobo: You definitely want a P67 board or Z68. I highly suggest this one: http://azerty.nl/0-3023-436585/asrock-z68-extreme3-gen3-moe.html As it is PCI-E 3.0 compatible and is ready for Ivy Bridge.

CPU: Awesome

HDD: Awesome

SSD: Pretty good

ram: Good

PSU: WOAH NOW! Very expensive. The AX850 is a great PSU, but it's overkill. I would suggest something cheaper (but still modular maybe) like this: http://azerty.nl/8-1073-386287/corsair-enthusiast-series-tx85.html But if you still want a Modular PS, this is an excellent one: http://azerty.nl/8-1073-219482/corsair-professional-series-hx.html

CPU cooler: Good, the Mudgen 2 is a great cooler.

For a case? Hmm..... I like the CM 690 II, but another good option is the NZXT Phantom: http://azerty.nl/0-1048-302672/nzxt-crafted-series-phantom-fu.html Or any of the Silverstone Ravens: http://azerty.nl/producten/zoek/?scope=artikelen&ZOEKTERMEN=silverstone+raven&zoek=+

Well, that's about it!

 

[vsdagama]

Very usefull reply, thanks!!

About the PSU: the AX850 is only 20€ more than the HX850, so why not? If I could take it on to future builds (will it live longer then 3-4 years?) I will certainly go with the AX850

GPU: Reading about Sli vs Single cards like here makes me want to go with a single card :S
If the 580 is still enough for playing the most recent games on highest settings for the next 3 years, I think I will go that way.
Is that Gigabyte the best GTX580 out there?

I'm certain now about the CPU cooler

mobo: that ASRock will be considered.

Case: DAMN! that's a hot looking quality case!! I forgot about it ^^ Added to my list.
SilverStone Raven RV01: Crazy case, but not my style.

 

[vsdagama]

As far as I can see the € 118,60 ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 has no USB 3.0 header? (for front panel USB 3.0)
The € 161,07 ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 has, but at that price point, is there a Asus or gigabyte board a better buy?

ASRock P67 Extreme4 Gen3 - € 132,24
What do I lose P67 extreme4 vs Z68 extreme4?

I will not need PCIe 3.0. Since I will keep the GTX580 for about 3-4 years.
By then I will need to buy a new processor (ivy bridge or whatever), new videocard, ... So I might as well get a new motherboard. ^^

So my motherboard needs to have:
- Good quality
- room for maybe a second card in Sli
- USB 3.0 header (I would like to use the USB 3.0 ports built into the case)

 

[vsdagama]

Anybody wanting to help me out on these last parts?

 

[steelbeast]

I use the logitech g100 and love it myself. I have tested the 2 models with screens and think they are wasteful. The only useful thing IMO is the fact you can see your core temps etc while gaming. I also use the logitech g700 mouse that is totally awesome, it also serves as my mobile mouse too. As for a case, the HAF 922 is impossible to beat for price/performance wise. It has 3x 200mm (buy extra one)...not 120mm lol

CASE: Cooler Master HAF 922 $90 (Amazon) (3x 200mm fans!) Intake - Front, Side, Bottom / Exhaust - Rear, Top
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026FCI2U
People think its $100 because they dont know how to search amazon hehe.


Extra Fan: Cooler Master 200mm fan $14.61 (Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LE8BJA

that's $104 total and it fits any GPU and looks awesome to boot.

I'll guarantee people are drooling over that 200mm fan over the GPU's.

 

[steelbeast]

Get a cheaper alternative PSU, 850w will be useless 3-4 years from now probably.

The 27in. Samsung Sync Master is great. I have tested it myself

 

[vsdagama]

The haf 922 has no dust filter on the left panel ^^
If I would go with one of the HAF cases, it would be the HAF X, 2 200mm and 1 230 are already included *drool*
*edit: on a second look, the 922 is considerably cheaper, and also has those huge front and upper fans, it even looks cooler then the HAF X..
Lol, can you fix the side dust filter? I find it important, because I don't want all my pretty hardware covered under a layer of dust after a few months :S

Yea, the G110 keyboard has everything I need (I don't even need the macro keys ). Main selling points where gamer mode, backlit keys and a nice typing sound (according to youtube reviews)

Ok, so I'm downgrading the PSU because it will be obsolete in 4 years?
What wattage do I need for 2 of these babys (probably I will not buy another one, but maybe, very unlikely)
Gigabyte GV N580SO-15I

The 27in. Samsung Sync Master is great. I have tested it myself

Samsung SyncMaster P2770FH
Samsung SyncMaster P2770HD
Samsung SyncMaster S27A350H
Samsung SyncMaster S27A550H
Samsung SyncMaster T27A550
Samsung SyncMaster C27A550U
Samsung SyncMaster C27A750X
Samsung SyncMaster T27A750
Samsung SyncMaster S27A950D
Samsung SyncMaster T27A950
Samsung SyncMaster P2270HD
Samsung SyncMaster S27A650D
Samsung SyncMaster S27A750D
Samsung SyncMaster S27A850D

Which one?
This illustrates my problem with monitors.. Samsung alone already has like 15 27 inch monitors, and like 60 22-24 inch monitors.

 

[vsdagama]

Ok, I set my mind on a CM HAF X
Are there any reasons I shouldn't pick that case?

Then I have a USB 3.0 question:
The ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 seems like a LOVELY motherboard, but it has no USB 3.0 header right?

That brings me to the HAF X, do the front USB 3.0 ports link to the motherboard via a header thingy, or do I need to route them around the back? (which I wouldn't like)

PSU: is it almost certain I can't carry the AX850 on to any later builds? (after 4 years)
Then I would opt for a cheaper modular one, like the CoolerMaster Silent Pro M850, is it capable of running 2 580's?

 

[vsdagama]

I do not need PCIe 3.0, because I won't be getting any newer GPU in 3-4 years and by then I will have to get a new CPU, GPU, mobo etc..

 

[vsdagama]

I made the questions I still have bold in the first thread.

Please help me solve these last problems!

 

[vsdagama]

I am almost done selecting parts!

Need some help on: mobo, PSU, GPU, RAM and monitor choice! :O

 

[striker410]

Sorry for late reply, been very busy recently....
Woah woah, why are we getting a cheap PSU? You NEVER skimp on the PSU. Not even on a super cheap build. Get a 850HX or AX. it's VERY good, and will last for a while.

next, I would suggest getting the ASRock Gen3. It's a very nice board, both in look and in features. Your call though, there's always the higher tier Gen3 boards.

For GPU. Tough call, but I stick with 2x 560 Ti's. They way outgame a 580, and SLI really isn't a huge hassle IMO. Your call, but the 560 Ti's get more FPS for your dollar, that's for damn sure.

Lastly, the ram. Anything is good! 8GB of 1600MHz is really the only requirement. Pick what looks best and what has good reviews, lol.

Can't really help with monitor, as I know nothing more than they look pretty lol.

Cheers!

 

[vsdagama]

I came back from Greece yesterday, and I would like to order this beast this week!

These are my final questions:
- Will the AX 850 be reusable in 4 years for my future build? (or is it very likely that it will be outdated/not enough wattage for future video cards?) If this is the case I would go HX 850 or something cheaper.
- What is the best GTX 560 Ti out there? Performance/quietness/coolness-wise
- ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 - go for it? or is there a cheaper one with the same functions except PCIe 3.0/ivy bridge (which I don't need)
- What monitor do I get?


Thanks you!!

 

[obsidian86]

psu choices

this is internally the same as the corsair tx V2

http://azerty.nl/8-1073-353621/xfx-core-edition-pro850w-voe.html

and these are as good as the ax850

http://azerty.nl/8-1073-402695/ocz-zx-series-850w-voeding-.html

http://azerty.nl/8-1073-383925/silverstone-strider-gold-st85f.html

 

[vsdagama]

Ow yea, I'm going the SLi 650 Ti way, so how many wattage does my PSU need?

TX850M = modular version of the TX850 v2?

The XFX Core Edition PRO850W doesn't seems to have very good reviews, so I would opt for the TX850 v2 or TX850M
I read the TX850 v2 is pretty noisy (+-41db)

 

[obsidian86]

Ow yea, I'm going the SLi 650 Ti way, so how many wattage does my PSU need?

TX850 V2 = modular or not?
TX850M = modular version of the v2?

The XFX Core Edition PRO850W doesn't seems to have very good reviews, so I would opt for the TX850 v2 or TX850M

xfx core edition = corsair tx v2 seasonic built

tx850 v2 seasonic built

tx 850m channel well tech built

for 560 ti sli 650 will do at stock 750 will be fine for overclocking and anything up to sli 570's

 

[vsdagama]

K, I'll go with the Corsair Enthusiast Series TX850 V2, since the TX750 is only 5$ cheaper

Next:

a monitor and a graphics card! :O

Looking for a 22-27inch 1200 or 1080 monitor for gaming, with nice colour display and a smooth view :O
I'm willing to spend about 0-350 euro on a good one

Then I need to select a good 560 Ti

 

[morgoth780]

for the 560 ti, get either an msi twin frozr II or an evga card

evga can sometimes be more expensive, but has great customer service
and twin frozrII, as stated above, as great cooling

 

[vsdagama]

Any place where some 560Ti cards get compared? FPS, termperature and noise?